Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 8464, Frederick Felts, Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Va.
Felts, Frederick
S. 8464
carded
CONTENTS

5727
VIRGINIA
Y. Co. March 17 June 1854.
Surry County Frederick Shells of Surry Co. in the State of Virginia who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Powell of the Regt commanded by Col. Meneval in the Virginia line for Militia for 6 mo.
Inscribed on the Rolls of Virginia at the rate of 20 Dollars & Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 2 day of February 1833 and sent Hon. Wm. H. Mason
Arrears to 4th of Sept 1832 30.00 Semizant. allowance ending 4th March 1833 10.00
40.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Henry A. Sykes Clerk Book D Vol. 7 Page 97

State of Virginia and County of Sussex ss
On this 24th  November day of September in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty two. personally appeared in open court before the County Court of Sussex now sitting, Frederick Helt, a resident of said County and State: aged seventy years; who, being first duly sworn according to Law, doth, on his Oath, make the following declaration. in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed the 7 th June 1832.
That he entered the service as a Soldier in the Militia of Virginia, and during the whole of his service was not out of said State. he was under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. The company to which he was attached was commanded by Capt. Seymour Powell. his Subalterns were Lieut. Edward Powell, Ensign Levi Rochelle and William Brown Orderly Sergt. His General and Field Officers were Genl. Muhlberger Col c Meriveather and Maj r Macleoman.
He went into service about Christmas. he does not know how to write, of course kept no account of dates. his company was on its way to Petersburg when the action at that town occurred. the company then received orders to march to Cabin Point, and thence to Suny Court House. from thence along down to Edmund's Hill, some where in the neighbourhood of Portsmouth where we staid about four weeks. at that time Capt. Powell returned home and the Regiment was put under Capt. Cummings, in the same Regiment. he then went with the company to the north West Landing: where he made a short stay near the enemy, and then returned with the company to Edmund's Hill, where he remained a short time, the company then crossed the Desert of the Dismal Swamp and encamped in Babbs Old Field on the North West side, remained there a few days and then marched in the neighbourhood of Cabin Point, and was there twice. he had been called out for a six weeks tour but had been

detained with the rest of the Men, by the Officers thirteen weeks, and then returned home.
In about a week or two after his first discharge he went again into service in the Cavalry. Six Troopers including himself were sent on detached service to collect or press Horses through the Country of Dinwiddie, for the Cavalry service. This duty was performed by them as Troopers in actual Service. and not as Citizens or Assistants of the Staff. after performing this Service they joined the Troop at Sevens Point on James River opposite to James Town and he was soon after discharged. This he thinks occurred but a short time before the Surrender of Cornwallis.
The duty of the Militia was so arduous at that period, and varied so constantly, shifting from one service to another, and from one set of officers to another in rapid succession, and constantly moving their positions - renders it at this remote day to a man who can neither read or write, and who consequently has preserved no Memoranda of those events, impossible for him to give a detailed, connected, or satisfactory account of what then transpired relative to his Service as a Revolutionary Soldier. but this he the deponent well recollects - that he served with but short intervals of a few days each in the Line of Militia and in a Troop of Cavalry during the Revolution. four different times and that the whole time he served when put together amounts to more than six months. he was in no action. but the duty to which he was assigned was very harassing. as the Force he was attached to was often in Hearing and almost in sight of the Enemy, the whole time of its stay at Edmund's Hill: and some of our men had frequent skirmishes with their Out Guards.
As to his age the Certificate of the Minister who Christened him is annexed, who states that he the deponent was born the 20 th July 1762. he well recollects that he was in Service just before and after the Battle at Petersburg, and also to within a few days of the Surrender of Cornwallis. this is the only answer he can make as to the printed Question of the War Department as to the day month & year of entering into service, and the time of leaving it.

The above named Certificate will prove that he was born, raised & lived in the County of Sussex aforesaid and State of Virginia, at the time of the Revolution, he has resided in said county & state from that time to the present. He went into the service as a drafted Militiaman. That is, he went whenever his Company Number was ordered out. The Privates in the Companies of Virginia Militia being all numbered from one to ten - on the first enrollment of a Militiaman draws for his number which he ever after retains, this number fixes his rotation of service. and whenever his number was ordered out he went. On some occasions he went on orders for the Militia en masse. as he was chiefly on detached duty except at Edmund's Hill he was with but few Officers, and when he was with larger bodies of troops his stay was so short amongst them, from being kept chiefly on detached duty that he has forgotten the names of their Officers. he has stated above that he has no documentary evidence whatever of his being in the service in the Revolution. and there is no person now alive except Ad Flowers of this County who was a fellow Soldier with him and in his mess; and James Baines. the latter is now too infirm to attend Court to give testimony. those two are the only men now alive as far as he knows or believes who were in service with him or who are personally acquainted with the fact that he served in the Revolution.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the Agency of any state
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Frederick X Hell, mark

12 A Eli Boker
Clergyman residing in the County of Southampton and State of Virginia and Abrahom Flowers residing in the County of Superior said State hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Frederick Fells, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration: that we believe him to be about Seventy years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Eli Boker
Abrahom Flowers
And the said Court do hereby declare their Opinion, after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories presented by the War Department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. and the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Eli Boker who has signed the preceding Certificate, is a Clergyman resident in the County of Southampton aforesaid and that Abrahom Flowers who has also signed the same is a resident in the County of Superior aforesaid and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I Lutton Lanier Clerk of the Court of Superior County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Frederick Fells for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of Office this second day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two
L. Lanier

Frederick Falls of Virginia
admit for bene. or pri Exp c 20¢ per am
Wm Mason AR

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Frederick Fells which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? No. V. * Has he mentioned, with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? Yes VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? Yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?
Has
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? X
Verficia
XIV. † If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility?
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office?
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?
Abs
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
Abs
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For _____ year _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
X The testimony of Flowers & Baines should be taken by a magistrate who should certify their credibility - & whose official character & signature should be attested by the clerk under his seal of office.

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.
†QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
†QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate. officer

Frederick Hill Ma 28 32
FREE
Wm Lloyd Washington D.C.

Bolivar, Penn. June 2 nd 1839.
Sir: My father Frederick Felt applied and received a pension during his lifetime, but never received land, and the Secretary of State of Virginia has no evidence in his possession on which to issue land warrant. You will therefore, please furnish Geo. W. Talbot, of Spring Creek, Tenn., with the length of time, and the dates of my father's service. At the time of his making application he resided in South Hampton county Va.
Respectfully
Your obedient servt John W. H. Felt
L. P. Waldo Washington D. C.

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section AWF/MLB AWF
May 22, 1930
Rhoda Whitehorn 42 Juniper Street Rochester, N. Y.
Dear Madam:
I advise you that from the papers in Revolutionary War pension claim S. 8464, it appears that Frederick Felts was born July 20, 1762, in Sussex County, Virginia.
While residing in Sussex County, Virginia, he served in the Virginia Militia, at about the time of the battle of Petersburg, in Captain Seymour Powel's Company, Colonel Merriwether's Regiment, and was out thirteen weeks. After which he served in the cavalry, officers' names not given. His service in all amounting to a little more than six months.
He was allowed pension on his application executed November 1, 1832, at which time he was living in Sussex County, Virginia.
In 1854, John W. H. Felts of Bolivar, Tennessee referred to the soldier as his father and that he was then dead, but gave no date of death.
Very truly yours
E. W. MORGAN Acting Commissioner

Feb 4-11-1901 G. M. Whitehorn Spencer Nebr.
Rev. Frank
8464 INVALID.
File No. 8464
Fredrick Feltz
Bot. Rev. Mar.
Act: June 7 th /32
Index:—Vol. Del Page 122
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1930- May 22- Hist. L. Rhoda Whitehorn

The Affidavit of Col l Samuel B Hines of the County of Southampton and State of Virginia
Sussex County to Wit-
Personally appeared before George Blow a Justice of Peace in and for the County of Sussex and State of Virginia - Col l Samuel B Hines and made Oath that he was born and raised within a Mile of Frederick Felt, an applicant for a pension under the act passed by Congress 7 June 1832 as a Soldier of the Revolution. That he has from his Infancy been intimately acquainted with the said Felt, who has always maintained a most exemplary charac- =ter. an honest worthy and most respectable old Gentleman who stands perfectly fair in his Character in his neighbourhood and is highly respected. That he has always amongst his neighbours been considered as one of the old revolutionary Patriots who bore arms in the service in that contest for Independence. and that he has supported an irreproachable Character ever since. - and is worthy of entire credit & belief in his Affidavit of the facts of his services: - and that there is no doubt of the fact in the minds of all persons who know him.
Sam l B Hines Subscribed and sworn to before me this 22 nd day of August 1832 - Geo l Blow Justice

Mem o . Mr Mason Member of Congress will avouch for the signature and high standing of Col o Hines who gives this affidavit and of the fact that Geo o Bloor is a Justice of Peace as his Certificate purports.
I certify to the high character of Col o . Sam l B Hines, & that he is a Justice of the Peace for Lake = ampton County, and that Col o George Bloor is a Justice of the Peace for Sussex, and of the highest character - Feby. 2 o 1833
I also certify to the character & credibility of Eliokuk and Abraham Haines - J. G. Mason Feby. 2 o 1833

POSTAL CARD - ONE CENT.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
RECEIVED
THIS SIDE IS FOR THE ADDRESS ONLY.
☆ JAN 30 1901 ☆
Pennington Department of Agriculture
O. W. N. DIVISION JAN 31 1901 RECEIVED.
Department Washington D. C.

25-1-01
Is it too much trouble to inform me if there was a Revolutionary soldier named
Felts
from Virginia & to what organization he belonged?
Swenthelm " "
Spencer.
Boyd Co. Nebr.

Dec. 4 1929.
Bureau of Pensions Washington D.C.
Will you please give me the Rev. War Record of Fred. Feltz Sussex Co Va and names of his children.
Very truly
Rhoda Whitehorn